Hello everyone. I've been reading allnurses.com for a while but this is my first post because I feel like I'm going to lose my mind.
I'm a December 08 nursing school graduate and just took the NCLEX exam today (Feb 17th) . I've been applying for jobs in California since October 07. Mainly I've applied to southern California and considered northern California too.
From October to now, I've applied to about 15 hospitals (UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, USC, Good Samaritan, several Kaiser hospitals, several hospitals in CHW network [California Hospital Medical Center, St. Mary's LB, Glendale Memorial Hospital, St Mary's Medical Center], Saddleback, and White Memorial). In northern California, I have applied to Good Samaritan in San Jose and Stanford University Medical Center.
I interviewed at UCLA in Nov and after 4 weeks of waiting, heard back from the manager that I was not selected for a position. Then in late Jan, I interviewed at Stanford and am still waiting if an offer is going to be made or not.
Hours of work has been put in refining my resume and cover letter. I even asked previous preceptors and instructors for letters of recommendations to put in my portfolio. I dress in a suit and spend a few days practicing interview questions.
Granted I know that since I'm out of state, it makes things harder but when I read the posts here, I see that it is doable for many new graduates.
I know I should be relaxing and feel relieved to have the NCLEX done but this is very unsettling and it's getting harder to sit in front of the computer for hours night after night researching hospitals and completing the online applications.
I've heard and read this advice a lot. My question is what's the best way to do this? I know it's simple. You go to the hospital and go to the unit and ask for the manager. But I always wondered if the managers would be ok with it, like think I'm being disrespectful for coming in unscheduled.
yeah I dont think it's possible to bypass security w/o your badge anyways.
I have friends and relatives pass my resume and then at the hospital I am doing clinicals at I plan to meet the manager personally.
Hi - Sorry to butt-in but I saw this post and it really hit home. I'm from the NYC/Long Island, NY area and most of the 12/08 new grads are finding it hard to secure jobs as well. We had recruiters knocking our doors down before to have us sign on - when we weren't ready, of course - and now they are nowhere to be found. I've applied to 7 different hospitals since I passed the boards on 2/10 and so far the 3 responses I've received are: sorry, no new grad positions available, we'll put you in the applicant pool.
I suppose everyone is feeling it. I was certain that I was in a profession that would be somewhat resistant to economic hardships.
Hi, I am too am a new grad. It took me about 4 weeks to find a job. I'm only 2 weeks into my first nursing job. I definitely filled out many applications as well. It sounds like your doing everything right. I can't read your resume so I can't speak for that, but i'm sure its fine. I had a hard time finding work initially because I lacked experience. Everytime I was asked if I had experience my answer was always "no, i'm a new grad", well im not sure if your running into the same problem, but if you are, my suggestion would be to let your prospective employer know about all of the specific skills you attained during clinicals. Talk about all the patients you cared for and the how your clinical experience has made you prepared. Thats basically what I did, and my lack of work history as a nurse wasn't a deciding factor anymore. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.
Specializes in LTC, Critical Care, Med Surg, Dialysis.
Have you always remembered to send a thank you letter.....I know that I missed out on a few positions from not sending them and the people that got the positions did send theirs....also some places will allow you to do extern ships or job shadowing and that is a good way to get to know the employees and they can vouch for you(how I got my job and I just graduated last night)
It's definitely not easy...but if you promote yourself well, chances are they might at least consider you. Like one of the posters said, most of the employers will ask do you have experience...you have to be honest and tell them "no, I'm a new grad...BUT I have these skills learned in school...I am a fast learner and eager to learn more...I take chances and I don't mind working hard..." and etc, etc, etc. Go to the nurse managers and meet up with them. If you catch them at the wrong time, don't give up hope...do it again...and once they see how desperate and persistent you are in wanting a job...they somehow will remember you and think of you the next time there is an opening. Remember to bring your resume and put them in nice folders together with all your transcripts, letters of recommendations, award certificates, anything that will make you shine. Practice, practice, practice talking and answering interview questions in front of the mirror...practice talking to your friends and family...or to your pets...the more you talk, the more you remember, and the easier it is to come out from you tongue.
I hope you get the job. Just don't ever give up. Good luck!
I can certainly empathize with how you are feeling. I graduated from undergrad in 1995 when there was not a nursing shortage and no places were taking nurses unless they had at least 3-5 years of experience!
I graduated in one state and was trying to find a job in a different state where I was competing with other grads who studied in that state and already had ins. I was an honor student, with good recommendations so it wasn't an issue about my character or ability.
After interviewing at several hospitals for months, I was unable to secure a hospital nursing position as a new grad and despite the fact that my heart was in women's health, latina health, and international health care, I finally took the only jobs that were available - long term care! Quite the opposite of my career plans! However, it was a stepping stone. I worked there giving my 100% for about 1 1/2 years and then the market changed and I was able to change jobs and move a little closer to my dreams.
Sometimes, you just have to start somewhere. The beauty of nursing is that the field is wide open. Once you get a little experience under your belt you can head off in any direction you want.
I will never forget one of the hospitals I interviewed at as a new grad. This was my second interview there. The HR director sat and looked at me with a scowl on her face, arms crossed, and her first question to me, in a very authoritive voice was, "Do you really think you have what it takes?!!!!" I share that story to let you know that despite what she thought, I did find a job and I did indeed have what it took and I am now working in women's health in South America and love it!
You also have what it takes! Believe in yourself, keep pressing forward and be willing to think outside the box and perhaps take a position as a means to build your resume a bit more, knowing you can always move on to something different down the road.
As a Previous Nurse Manager, I hired strong nurse grads, but obviously, I had to balance the experience on the floor with the less experienced. Does your cover letter state flexibiltiy, eager/fast learner - Did you work in the hospital as a tech - if you did emphasize that. Candidates that stood out for me during an interview: Strong hand shake, appeared confident (although a good manager, understands the inexperience), ask key questions, again eager to be part of the team. Follow interview up with a email or card thanking that manager for the interview and that you look forward to being part of the team. good luck
You know who isn't having trouble with money? The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. So my advice to you would be to search USAJOBS.com and look for nursing positions on military installations and in their VA hospitals! At least you can work towards a federal retirement system unlike in private hospitals. I am as dumbfounded as everyone else! All the alarms going off, from magazines to televised reports on how there is continuing to be a grave SHORTAGE of nurses esp. with the aging baby boomers. PuhLEEZE! And yet, I see so many posts like this one where those who are answering the call are left out there "flappin'!" What in the hell gives? Economy schmonomy! Just because the economy gets bad does not mean fewer and fewer patients are coming in. There still continues to be a demand, and insurance is still paying, no? What's going on for REAL?
You know who isn't having trouble with money? The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. So my advice to you would be to search USAJOBS.com and look for nursing positions on military installations and in their VA hospitals! At least you can work towards a federal retirement system unlike in private hospitals. I am as dumbfounded as everyone else! All the alarms going off, from magazines to televised reports on how there is continuing to be a grave SHORTAGE of nurses esp. with the aging baby boomers. PuhLEEZE! And yet, I see so many posts like this one where those who are answering the call are left out there "flappin'!" What in the hell gives? Economy schmonomy! Just because the economy gets bad does not mean fewer and fewer patients are coming in. There still continues to be a demand, and insurance is still paying, no? What's going on for REAL?
I do think it is for sure the economy right now that is causing the shortage of nursing jobs. I am trying to get on at a hospital as a new grad, and I talked to the charge nurse yesterday - she told me as we speak she has 5 patients on the floor. They are laying off nurses, and any new hires are being given to those nurses that already work in the facility. So many people have lost their jobs, and with that they have no insurance many times.
Those people who were considering having those surgeries that are not life/death are just simply holding off on those for now because they don't want to spend the money, or they are afraid to take any time off of work or both.
It is not a good situation for sure out there right now - luckily at this moment I don't need a job - so I am working on obtaining my RN. No jobs means its a good time to go to school if you can do it.
I don't know about USAJOBS. Many of those jobs are continuous enrollment meaning that many of them aren't actually hiring right now. If anyone knows any of the particular military bases that are actually hiring, it would be much appreciated!!! I am tired of spending all of this time sending applications into cyberspace!!
fiveofpeep
1,237 Posts
yeah I dont think it's possible to bypass security w/o your badge anyways.
I have friends and relatives pass my resume and then at the hospital I am doing clinicals at I plan to meet the manager personally.
good luck to us all